Prep roundup, April 19

Saturday

That’s what Dixon assistant coach Nick Raynor said after Padgett pitched a complete-game effort in the Bulldogs’ 2-0 win at Southwest on Friday in a Coastal Plains 1-A Conference baseball game.

“J.P. pitched well,” said Raynor, who spoke for coach Jack Brown, who declined comment. “I think the moment we gave him the ball, we knew what to expect from him. He just worked ahead in the count and that’s the key for him.”

Padgett allowed four hits, struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter, although he did hit three batters. Nonetheless, his effort helped the Bulldogs secure the win on the road.

“He just did a good job of locating. He hit his spots and kept us off-balanced,” Southwest coach Charlie Dempsey said of Padgett. “We put the bat on the ball, but he did a good job of keeping us off-balanced where his defense could make plays.”

Dylan Grafius and Daniel Mabe each went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the fourth inning for Dixon. Ike Bussell was 1-for-2 with a run.

The Bulldogs were coming off a 7-2 loss to Lejeune on Tuesday.

Luckily we had two days of practice,” Raynor said. “It was probably the best two days of practice we’ve had. These kids were ready to go today.”

Jason Hunter suffered the tough loss on the mound. He pitched a complete game, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out nine.

South Lenoir 8, Northside 6: South Lenoir’s Grant Tyndall and Grant Holland both homered as the Blue Devils slipped past Northside in an East Central 2-A Conference game.

Wade Wetherington picked up the win after pitching 5 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits and five earned runs. Northside’s Justin Myers took the loss behind 1/3 of an inning, allowing three hits and five earned runs.

“We played a very good South Lenoir team well and I am very proud of my players tonight,” Northside coach Dustin Johns said.

The Monarchs’ Christian Kercado went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs while teammate Dawnoven Smith was 3-for-3 with three doubles.

West Carteret 8, Jacksonville 7: Jacksonville rallied when Chad Shepard hit a grand slam in the top of the seventh inning, but the Cardinals still fell short to West Carteret in a Coastal 3-A Conference game.

The Patriots’ Jared Carr pitched six innings and allowed seven hits on three runs, two of which were earned, and eight strike-outs, while the Cardinals’ Blake Heatherly pitched 4 1/3, and allowed nine hits on eight runs (four earned), and four strike-outs.

Jacksonville’s Christian Heisey went 2-for-3 with a double, while David DiCicco went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

West Carteret’s Joe Mason went 2-for-3, and Cody Dakin went 3-for-4 with three RBI’s.